Niihau School of Kekaha

21°58′09″N 159°42′40″W / 21.9692823°N 159.7111523°W / 21.9692823; -159.7111523 Niihau School of Kekaha (NSK, Hawaiian: Hale Kula Niihau o Kekaha), also known as Ke Kula Niihau O Kekaha Learning Center (KKNOK), is a K-12 charter school in Kekaha, Kauaʻi, Hawaii catering to Niʻihau people living on Kauaʻi.[1]

According to Christine Hitt of Hawaiʻi Magazine, the school is trying to keep the Niʻihau dialect alive due to a growing Niʻihau diaspora in Kauaʻi,[1] where the dominant languages are instead English and Hawaiian Pidgin.

History

On May 17, 2001, the Hawaii State Board of Education approved the creation of the charter school. The state classifies it as a " K-12 New Century Public Charter School".[2]

Demographics

In 2016, there were 54 students, with about 50% being native speakers of Niihau Hawaiian, and with all 54 students being from Niihau. Many of the students are members of the same families. 95% of the students were native Niihau speakers in 2004.[1]

In 2017, there were three teachers for preschool and two other teachers.[3]

Curriculum

Secondary courses are taught in English and elementary courses are taught in the Niihau language.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Hitt, Christine (May 12, 2016). "Keepers of the Flame: How cultural practitioners are preserving Niihau's unique traditions". Hawai'i Magazine. aio Media. Retrieved October 19, 2020.
  2. ^ "History". Niihau School of Kekaha. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  3. ^ McCracken, David (April 2, 2017). "Ke Kula Niihau O Kekaha Public Charter School works to save language, culture". The Garden Island. Retrieved October 19, 2020.


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